Telescopic connector for coaxially superposed frame members

ABSTRACT

A shoring and scaffolding system. The system may be employed to support vertical loads such as freshly poured concrete floors in construction of buildings, bridges, etc., and may also be employed as scaffolding. The system includes a joint which connects aligned tubular members. The joint also connects channel elements, the latter displaying utility as horizontal stringers to support joist, as well as bracing elements. A pivotal loadbearing leg swings upwardly to permit the assembly to be moved to another locale.

United States Patent 1191 Hutchinson Dec. 9, 1975 TELESCOPIC CONNECTOR FOR 3,082,843 3/1963 Leonard 182/178 x COAXIALLY SUPERPOSED FRAME 3,564,802 2/1971 Dreyfus..... 3,783,565 1/1974 Hughes 52/648 x MEMBERS [75] Inventor: Leigh Hutchinson, Wilton, Conn. primary Schroeder [73] Assignee: Harsco Corporation, Camp Hill, Pa. Assistant Examiner wayne Shedd Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Cameron, Kerkam, Sutton, [22] Filed: Dec. 9, 1974 Stowe & Stowe [21] Appl. NO.: 531,051

[57] ABSTRACT 52 US. (:1. 52/637; 403/293; 52/758 F; A shoring and Scaffolding System The System may be 403/217; 182/178 employed to support vertical loads such as freshly 51 lm. c1. E04H 12/00 Poured Concrete floors in Construction of buildings [58] Field of Search 52/758 R, 758 F, 633, 648, bridges, and may be employed as scffolding- 52 5 7 75 403/107, 109, 49 293, The system lncludes a Joint whlch connects allgned tu- 182/178 bular members. The joint also connects channel elements, the latter displaying utility as horizontal string- 5 References Cited ers to support joist, as well as bracing elements. A piv- UNITED STATES PATENTS otal loadbearing leg swings upwardly to permit the assembly to be moved to another locale. 891,929 6/1908 Graham 52/758 R UX 3,037,588 6/1962 Causey 52/637 6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures I i y 1 1 34 38 1 20 i r I US. Patent Dec. 9 1975 Sheet 1 of 2 3,92

US. Patent Dec.91975 Sheet20f 2 3,924,379

TELESCOPIC CONNECTOR FOR COAXIALLY SUPERPOSED FRAME MEMBERS This invention relates to shoring constructions and more particularly to a system displaying utility in forming modular sections of a shoring or scaffolding assembly. Shoring and scaffolding assemblies have long been used in the construction arts and display utility as temporary supports during the process of construction of a building or of a bridge. For example, a shoring assembly may be used to temporarily support freshly poured concrete floors or decks. After the concrete becomes strong enough, the shoring assembly is removed and may be used again for yet another concrete deck temporary support. Such devices are known and are shown in US. Pat. No. 3,787,020 to Avery. Shoring elements may be formed of interchangeable parts to thereby enable the formation of modular units. Such modular units may be increased in number to increase the size and/or height of the assembly. Another advantage of such an assembly is that it may be easily taken apart for storage or for subsequent re-assembly at another construction site.

The shoring and scaffolding art has long been aware of a variety of constructions which employ tubular elements such as metal pipes and other elongated metal elements which are adapted to interlock or interfit with one another to form the completed assembly.

The present invention is an improvement in the shoring and scaffolding art and relates particularly to a modular joint and system possessing the required strength and rigidity necessary to withstand the usually rugged conditions obtaining at construction sites. The shoring and scaffolding modules are provided with a load-bearing pivotal leg which is swingable to a storage position to facilitate transport of the shoring system to another locale. The joint of the invention also displays utility in that it not only joins and aligns tubular elements, but forms, in the same structure, a support for horizontally running channel elements, the latter adapted to-support horizontal joist or the like as well as to rigidify the structural module.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a joint according to the practice of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a view taken along section 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial elevational view of a typical shoring and scaffolding construction employing the joint shown at FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged elevational view of a pivoted load-supporting leg shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a view taken along section 55 of FIG. 4.

Referring now to the drawings, the numeral of FIG. 1 denotes generally the joint of this invention and includes vertically disposed metal pipe sections 12 and 14 which are to be joined and aligned. The numeral 16 denotes the bight of upper channel members having legs 17 and positioned around metallic tube 18, the latter extending some distance below the bight 16. The numeral 20 denotes a tubular section extending from immediately below and touching bight portion 16 to a portion terminating near the lowest part of the joint.

The numeral 24 denotes the bight of lower channel members, having legs 25, similar to the upper channels and are secured to the top portion of tubular element 26. The numeral 28 denotes a metal tubular portion whose lower end terminates just above the lower portion of pipe 26 and whose upper end extends well into the joint itself. Tubular element 28 is the radially innermost portion of the joint. The relative radial extent of tubular elements 18, 20, 28 may be seen by reference to FIG. 2 of the drawings.

The numeral 32 denotes a horizontal and elongated channel member of indefinite extent on one side of the aligned tubular elements 12 and 14, while the numeral 34 denotes a similar element on the other side of tubular elements 12 and 14. The numerals 36 and 38 denote, respectively, upper and lower bolt members extending through the indicated apertures in channel members 32 and 34. Upper bolt 36 passes through tubular members 18 and 20, while lower bolt 38 passes through tubular members 18, 20, 28. Elements 16, 18 and 20 form an integral unit, as by welding them together. Similarly, tubular element 28 is welded to element 26, and lower channel bight 24 is welded to the top portion of intermediate tubular element 26. Thus, upstanding tubular portion 18 defines a member over which vertically extending tubular element 12 is fixed, while downwardly extending tubular elements 26 and 28 may be regarded as a support for upwardly extending tubular member 14. In assembling the joint illustrated at FIG. 1, after members 12 and 14 have been positioned as illustrated, horizontal apertures extending through the diameter are provided with bolt elements 40 and 42 assembled in the indicated manner. It will be noted that legs 17 of the upper channels and legs 25 of the lower channels increase the bending moment resistance of, respectively, bight (plates) 16 and 24.

FIG. 3 illustrates a typical shoring and/or scaffolding installation employing the joint of FIG. 1. The numeral 46 denotes conventional supporting legs coupled to the bottom of vertically extending tubular members 14. It will be noted that vertical loads on horizontal channel members 34 and 32 are transmitted to tubular elements 14 through the joint of FIG. 1. Similarly, any vertical loads on the uppermost (FIG. 3) horizontal channel members 34, 32 are transmitted to the legs 46. It will be noted that the bight portions 16 and 24 may be used without the legs 17 and 25, respectively, although the use of the legs (thus forming short channels) strengthens the resistance to bending moments. The bight portions 16 and 24 may accordingly be considered as plates, particularly as used in the claims.

The portion of the assembly illustrated at FIG. 3 exhibits particular utility as a scaffolding. However, the assembly may also be employed as a shoring assembly when, for example, it is desired to temporarily support a freshly laid deck or floor of poured concrete. In such a use, horizontal support members are laid at right ansembly from beneath the deck, after the deck has retained sufficient strength, thelegs may be pivoted away from the lower portion of the lowermost horizontal channels 32 and 34 so as to permit the assembly to be moved or rolled out from under simply along the ground, if desired, or on a previously poured concrete slab.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, details of the pivoted leg construction 60 illustrated at FIG. 3 are shown. The numeral 62 denotes a vertically extending tubular standard coupled to a lower foot 64 as by means of any conventional socket construction between the standard 62 and the supporting foot 64. An upper portion of mode supporting leg 62 is threaded to receive internally threaded and complementary screw element 66 being rotatable by means of handle element 68. A thrust bearing 70 is positioned immediately above screw element 66 and the upper portion thereof abuts the lower portion of plate 72. Plate 72 is of a length so as to produce adequate bearing surface with contact with the lower part of the legs of channel elements 32 and 34, all as shown at FIG. 5. The width of plate 72 is less than the distance beteen the channel elements 32 and 34, for a purpose which will presently be described.

A tubular yoke element 76 is provided with horizontal bolts '78 and 80, the bolts also passing through apertures in the channel elements 32 and 34. Verticially aligned apertures 82 and 84 in the yoke slidably receive standard 62.

With vertical loads on the channels 32 and 34 (see FIG. 4), such loads are transmitted to plate 72, thrust bearing 70, screw element 66, load bearing standard or leg 62 and foot 64 to the ground or other base support. When the device is no longer required in the particular location, the screw hub 66 may be rotated by handles 68 to thereby lower plate 72 so that it may be swung 90. At the same time, one of,the bolts, for example, bolt 80, is removed. Similarly, the supporting foot 64 is temporarily removed. The entire sup orting leg assembly 60 may now be swung upwardly between and through channel members 32 and 34 to the dotted position of FIG. 4. The foot 62 may now be reassembled on leg 62 for storage purposes. When all of the legs 60 have been so adjusted, it is relatively easy to move the supporting shoring assembly by simply rolling it along flying it to another location where it may be used for a similar purpose.

From the above description of the mode of operation of the load supporting leg 60 and legs 46 (note FIG. 3), it is apparent that the system may be used as a scaffold, as for example shown at FIG. 3, or as a shoring support for a concrete deck. In the event of the latter use, the lower tubular elements 14, 26, and 28, along with plate or bight element 24 may not be employed. This is illustrated at FIG. 3 of the drawings wherein the right-hand most tubular section 12 is joined to the lowermost horizontal channel members 32, 34, with no corresponding tubular member 14 aligned with it. In the event that the entire uppermost surfaces of channel members 32, 34 are employed to support a concrete deck, as by placing transversely extending and horizontal support members across adjacent and parallel channel sets, the uppermost tubular elements 12, along with corresponding tubular elements 18 and plate or bight member 16 are employed.

What is claimed is:

l. A modular support and scaffolding structure, including,

a. a first joint section, said section including first and second tubular sections in partial telescoping relation,

b. a first plate surrounding said first tubular section and abutted by the upper end of said second tubular section, said first plate lying in a plane orthogonal to the common axis of said first and second tubular sections,

0. said plate, first and second tubular sections being joined together to form a rigid joint section,

d. a second joint section, said section including third and fourth tubular sections in partial telescoping relation,

e. the innermost of said third and fourth tubular members telescopingly engaging the interior of the innermost one of said first and second tubular members,

f. a second plate, attached to the upper exterior end of said fourth tubular member.

2. The structure of claim 1 including,

a. a first bolt, passing transversely through said first and second tubular members, beneath said first plate and above the upper end of said third tubular member,

b. a second bolt, passing transversely through said first, second, and third tubular members and above said second plate.

3. The structure of claim 2 including,

a. a first channel member whose legs are parallel to and clamped by said first and second plates and whose bight portion is parallel to the common axis of said tubular members.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein said first and second bolts pass through the bight portion of said first channel member.

5. The structure of claim 4 jzc'iuding,

a, a second channel member disposed parallel to said first channel member "and having its legs parallel to and clamped by said first and second plates and whose bight portion is parallel to the common axis of said tubular members,

b. said first and second bolts also passing through the bight portion of said second channel member,

0. said first and second channel members positioned, respectively, on opposite sides of the common axis of said tubular members.

6. The structure of claim 5 including,

a. means carried by the upper portion of said first tubular member for joining to an upper tubular member,

b. means carried by the lower portion of said third and fourth tubular members for joining to a lower tubular member. 

1. A modular support and scaffolding structure, including, a. a first joint section, said section including first and second tubular sections in partial telescoping relation, b. a first plate surrounding said first tubular section and abutted by the upper end of said second tubular section, said first plate lying in a plane orthogonal to the common axis of said first and second tubular sections, c. said plate, first and second tubular sections being joined together to form a rigid joint section, d. a second joint section, said section including third and fourth tubular sections in partial telescoping relation, e. the innermost of said third and fourth tubular members telescopingly engaging the interior of the innermost one of said first and second tubular members, f. a second plate, attached to the upper exterior end of said fourth tubular member.
 2. The structUre of claim 1 including, a. a first bolt, passing transversely through said first and second tubular members, beneath said first plate and above the upper end of said third tubular member, b. a second bolt, passing transversely through said first, second, and third tubular members and above said second plate.
 3. The structure of claim 2 including, a. a first channel member whose legs are parallel to and clamped by said first and second plates and whose bight portion is parallel to the common axis of said tubular members.
 4. The structure of claim 3 wherein said first and second bolts pass through the bight portion of said first channel member.
 5. The structure of claim 4 including, a. a second channel member disposed parallel to said first channel member and having its legs parallel to and clamped by said first and second plates and whose bight portion is parallel to the common axis of said tubular members, b. said first and second bolts also passing through the bight portion of said second channel member, c. said first and second channel members positioned, respectively, on opposite sides of the common axis of said tubular members.
 6. The structure of claim 5 including, a. means carried by the upper portion of said first tubular member for joining to an upper tubular member, b. means carried by the lower portion of said third and fourth tubular members for joining to a lower tubular member. 